Bulwark Takes

Andrew Egger is joined by Casey Michel, author of the forthcoming book United States of Oligarchy: How America's Wealthiest Ally with Dictators, Weaken the U.S., and Destroy Democracy, to examine how Jared Kushner became a walking conflict of interest at the center of American foreign policy. From cultivating relationships with Saudi royals and Gulf autocrats while serving in the White House to launching a multibillion-dollar investment fund backed by foreign governments after leaving office, Casey walks through how Kushner went from being a laughingstock in the Middle East to a billionaire. Plus, with all these foreign interest conflicts, why is Congress allowing him to be one of Trump's key players in negotiations on Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran despite having no traditional diplomatic experience.
Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to https://Quince.com/bulwarktakes for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.
Read more from Casey in Mother Jones: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/06/jared-kushner-affinity-partners-fund-saud[…]gaza-peace-deal-diplomat-steve-witkoff-donald-ivanka-trump/
You can pre-order Casey's book here: https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Oligarchy-Wealthiest-Dictators/dp/1250430119/?tag=bulwark08-20

Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the flurry of stories across the right-wing fever swamp. They discuss: Mike Lee blasting Pete Hegseth for snubbing Mormons, Kash Patel launching attacks against Judicial Watch, Republicans claiming fraud because Spencer Pratt is losing in the LA mayoral race, Lauren Boebert sounding off on a Fox News reporter, and whether Albania’s PM could be ousted over Jared and Ivanka’s luxury resort.
Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to https://Quince.com/bulwarktakes for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

Sonny Bunch and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) review Pressure, the new film about the D-Day weather decision that nearly derailed the largest invasion in history. They discuss what Eisenhower was really up against: a catastrophic dress rehearsal, a ghost army commanded by Patton, alliance politics, and a lone British meteorologist telling him the June 5th launch date would be a disaster. Plus: Hertling on getting caught in an Iraqi sandstorm, the Coast Guard's impossible mission in The Perfect Storm, the Eagle Claw debacle in Argo, and the Benghazi chaos of 13 Hours—and what all of these have in common. Also, was Brendan Fraser the right choice to play Ike?

Tim Miller reacts to Donald Trump’s combative NBC interview, where the president lashes out at the press, revives election conspiracy theories, defends his Jan. 6 compensation fund, dismisses farmers’ economic pain, and makes fresh promises on gas prices and Iran. By the end, the interview devolves into a shouting match—and Trump storms out.

Tom Joscelyn joins Bill Kristol for Bulwark on Sunday.